Revelations 12

by De Freitas

  Later that day, Cardinal Mark requested a visit with Pope Simon in his office. Whether it was doubt or paranoia, he wanted the reassurance now he was Pope, as to what his intentions were for the church.

  Cardinal Mark entered the Papal office.

  “Your Holiness,” said Cardinal Mark.

  Pope Simon said nothing. He stood up, walked around his desk, and hugged Cardinal Mark. It did not matter that he was the leader of over a billion people, he still saw Cardinal Mark as his father.

  “I am pleased you came to see me, Cardinal Mark. I would like you to simply call me Simon. Please have a seat, we have much to discuss.”

  “I was going to leave it for some time before I asked to see you, as I’m aware you must be very busy getting settled in.”

  “Quite the opposite, Cardinal Mark. I think everyone thinks that and have left me alone. Other than letters and phone calls from well-wishers, it has been a quite day so far. In fact, one of the phone calls I got was from Fr. Nicholas, after leaving Kenrick-Glennon Seminary we have only seen each other briefly on one occasion, but we have always kept in touch.”

  “Yes, Simon. Since you told me about him, I’ve actually met him a number of times. I can see why the two of you got on so well together at the Seminary – he reminds me a lot of you. I was very pleased to hear that he is going to be ordained a Bishop; it is about time, his work had gone unnoticed for far too long.”

  “Indeed, he mentioned that to me on the phone. He will be in Rome at the end of October, so I’m looking forward to seeing him. However, as I said, other than a few calls, its been a quiet first day, not to mention settling in is always easier when one does not have too many possessions.

  Cardinal Mark looked around the Papal office. There was the same black and white wedding photo of his parents on his desk and on the wall was a collection of his favourite books. His eyes were instantly drawn to the small children’s Bible on the shelf. He walked over and picked it up.

  “My First Bible, you have certainly kept this a long time, Simon.”

  “I can still hear Mom reading it to me. I’m afraid I’ve had it too long now to part with it.”

  “Yes, Simon. I can imagine. Actually, this morning I was thinking about it and, of course, the cloth it was wrapped in.”

  Pope Simon looked at his friend intently and gathered his thoughts. “Cardinal Mark, for many years I have been greatly disturbed by the message on the cloth. As much as I wanted it to be meaningless, it is not. I am in no doubt that there is a connection between it and the events of my life. Unfortunately, understanding it has been beyond me, so my only option is to constantly evaluate my thoughts and actions, to ensure that they reflect the teachings of our Lord.”

  “We are living in frightening times, Simon. The signs of the End Times are everywhere and so few see them.”

  Pope Simon looked at Cardinal Mark. His eyes were filled with the concern and the responsibility of his new vocation, but his words were spoken with absolute certainty. “We are fast approaching the end. Satan is becoming very powerful and, until our Lord returns and defeats him, we must remain vigilant. I am in grave danger. I want you to make a solemn promise that if you see any change in me, that you will not hesitate to take my life by whatever means necessary.”

  Cardinal Mark was in no doubt as to what Simon was asking of him. “Simon, I give you my word.”

  Five weeks into his papacy, Pope Simon could not wait to meet his old friend from Syria. They had shared so many sad as well as wonderful memories together. When he called to say “hello” and wish him well, he had no hesitation in inviting him to the Vatican. Imam Hasan was indeed a man of God; in a world consumed by religious hatred and war, the two men respected each other greatly.

  The meeting at the Vatican was everything Pope Simon had hoped for. The two shared so many common beliefs and saw the good in each other’s religions. Imam Hasan agreed that he would speak with other Muslim leaders and, together, they could hold a meeting of all religions and celebrate in the worship of God. For Pope Simon, he promised to contact Jewish and other religious leaders and invite them to take part. Pope Simon walked Imam Hasan to the door and they said goodbye. There was so much that could be done to bring religions together.

  Change in the Catholic Church is measured over centuries. However, relatively recent history had shown that, against much opposition, Protestants were indeed invited to the second Vatican Council in 1962. This had gone a long way towards bringing peace between the two faiths. More recently, Pope Francis held the first meeting between the Orthodox and Catholic faiths in over a thousand years. Apart from the desire to promote peace between religions, there were so many reforms that needed to be undertaken within the church. Pope Simon began to contemplate the need for a third Vatican Council. He sat at his desk excited for the years ahead. There were enough good people in the world to help him forge a new way, a way to finally see all people, regardless of their religion, as God’s creations. Political wars may unfortunately go on but wars between religions could certainly be ended.

  He stared across the room to the shelf with his favourite books. They were all large volumes except for the small Bible. He opened the drawer of his desk, removed the brown cloth, unfolded it and looked at the ancient writing. Suddenly, it came to him.

  I HAVE CHOSEN YOU

  THE APOCALYPSE IS WRITTEN IN THE BACK

  He realised he had indeed been chosen and that The Apocalypse is written in the back had nothing to do with something written in back of the Bible, or in The Book of Revelations. Written in the back really meant ‘written in the spine’ – it was written in the spine of the Bible. Pope Simon walked over to the shelf and removed the small well-worn Bible. He sat at his desk, picked up the brass knife he used to open letters and forcefully cut down the spine of the Bible, hidden inside was a parchment scroll, he unfurled it…

  Simon, son of John and Martha;

  From the beginning I have enjoyed these games, from the fruit on the tree to the silver I used to tempt Judas, and now today I distract them with the flesh. So easily have I blinded these creatures of dust. All fools, my wisdom is beyond them. The wisest could not interpret the message on the cloth.

  I will take down as many as I can, before the Nazarene returns. You have done your part in what is my greatest deception of them all. Now your time is drawing short.

  I have lied and deceived them. You have escaped me but the multitudes have not been so fortunate. My greatest achievement has been to convince them that I do not exist, but you know I exist. You have always known it and now you will meet me.

  Suddenly, there was a knock at the door…

  Pope Simon put the scroll down, made the sign of the cross and walked apprehensively towards the large teak doors. He took a deep breath and slowly turned the brass handle. Startled, he took a step backwards. Standing before him was a figure dressed in black. He tried to compose himself, as he focused on his identical twin brother.

  “We meet at last, Simon.”

  The figure holding a black-handled knife pushed by him and entered the office. “My brother, Simon. How I have longed for this day. Your time is indeed drawing short. Soon I will take your place but first allow me to open your eyes.”

  “Away from me, Satan!”

  EPILOGUE

  Annamae spent her life obsessed by jealousy towards her twin sister. It was unmistakable that they were sisters but, by any measure, Martha was always the more attractive of the two.

  Annamae met John at a dance and she fell in love with him. The two dated for a short time but it was never going to last. No matter how much Annamae loved John, he did not feel the same and the pain of rejection had devastated her. A few weeks later, she saw John speaking to Martha and she was consumed with rage. Within a year, the two were married. It was as much as Annamae could take. Jealousy and anger made her an eas
y target for Satan. She was willing to do anything to see Martha and John destroyed.

  The young doctor in Louisiana did not stand a chance as his role would be crucial. Satan sent one of his most powerful demons, the attacks were relentless and frightening. It did not take long before Dr Brookman gave up the fight.

  In a small wooden house, the young woman had just given birth. After fourteen hours in labour she was drifting in and out of consciousness. Dr Brookman and Annamae exchanged looks, their work was not completed. After a short while, they delivered the second child, the one they had all waited for – the one they worshipped. Annamae handed him over to the small gathering of women who stood in the room.

  *

  “You see Simon, Martha was carefully chosen. Did you think the long lineage of twins in our family ended with Martha and Annamae? You and I are not just identical but we have a telepathic connection. You saw me kill Julia and Linda and mistakenly thought you had somehow done it. They stood in my way – it had to be done.”

  *

  Martha sat in her living room with a coffee, trying to make sense of it all. A couple of birds landing on the window caught her eye, she looked over to the fire place. On the mantle were: pictures of John and herself, taken on their wedding day; a baby picture of Simon; and a picture of her and her sister, taken when they were children down at the lake. Suddenly, it dawned on her. She must have had twins. It ran in her family. The hair at the murder scene was a perfect match, the footprints were the same size but the fingerprints did not match. Simon saw the murders happen. Annamae and Dr Brookman were working together. Suddenly, everything made sense. Simon had to have a twin brother.

  Annamae had deceived her the entire time. She left the house to confront her, Annamae tried to deny it, but Martha had figured it all out.

  Annamae had no option, she could not allow Martha to leave her house alive – she had to die. Annamae tried to cover her tracks, but she missed the fact that one of the bullets that exited Martha had lodged in her front door. It was the critical piece of evidence that led to her.

  Annamae looked out her window and saw the police cars approaching. She knew it was the end. She could not allow herself to be taken down to the police station. Under pressure, the sheriff would have made her reveal everything. She picked up the gun, placed the cold steal of the barrel into her mouth, closed her eyes and pulled the trigger.

  *

  “Lastly, Sheriff Amos had to die, he was relentless and had no intention of closing Julia’s or Linda’s cases. His fate was sealed when he drove into the small settlement of houses where I lived. My brother, Simon, the demon that controls the doctor, not only delivered you but also has protected you throughout your life. Indeed, you would have died during your appendix operation, had he not been there. He has ensured that nothing and no one stood in the way of your destiny. However, your time has now come.”

  Simon looked up and saw the steel blade descending towards his chest.

  REFERENCES

  As well as being at least thirty-five years old and a priest for at least five years, he should be “outstanding and in strong faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence and human virtues”, Reference: http://canonlawmadeeasy.com/2010/07/15/how-are-priests-selected-to-be-bishops/

  As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one has never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate, that they will envy the dead. The only arms, which will remain for you, will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.”“The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church, in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres... churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.”

  Reference: http://www.olrl.org/prophecy/akita.shtml